Port Harcourt Refinery Joins the Petroleum Export Market
The Port Harcourt refinery, recently rehabilitated, has officially entered the international petroleum export market. This is a big step in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as the refinery sold its first batch of refined petroleum products to Dubai-based Gulf Transport and Trading Limited.
The inaugural export consisted of low-sulfur straight-run fuel oil, a product known for its reduced environmental impact due to its lower sulfur content. The shipment, weighing 15,000 metric tons (approximately 13.6 million liters), will soon be loaded onto the Wonder Star MR1 vessel.
A gradual restart of operations
According to a report by Kpler, a data and analysis company, the refinery recently started operating its Coolant Distribution Unit 1, which processes about 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This is part of a phased restart of the 60,000-barrel-per-day facility, currently operating at 70% capacity.
The refinery’s first export underscores its gradual return to full-scale operations. Over the next few months, production levels are expected to stabilize at 60,000 metric tons of low-sulfur fuel oil per month.
How it might the shifting market dynamics
This development is set to reshape fuel trade patterns in the region. By producing refined products locally, Nigeria could significantly reduce its reliance on fuel imports from Europe and other traditional suppliers. Falling fuel imports are already affecting West Africa’s supply chain, a trend expected to continue as the refinery ramps up production.
Future Expansion Plans
While the current phase focuses on the 60,000-bpd section, there are plans to restart the larger 150,000-bpd unit in the coming years. If successful, this expansion will allow the refinery to achieve its full capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.
Projections indicate that by late 2025, Port Harcourt’s refinery could produce significant volumes of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Local and Export Impact
Owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), the refinery is expected to primarily process Nigerian crude oil grades. While most refined products will cater to the domestic market, exports like the current batch of fuel oil will contribute to global supply.
With this new milestone, the Port Harcourt refinery is positioning itself as a key player in reducing Nigeria’s fuel import dependency and enhancing the country’s presence in the global energy market. This achievement not only signals progress in Nigeria’s refining capacity but also reflects the broader potential of the nation’s oil and gas indu
